During a press conference at the IPW event currently underway in Los Angeles, Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of US Travel, urged government leaders to prioritize the expansion of inbound travel, which is currently hindered by excessively long visa wait times.

US Travel's IPW, the largest driver of international inbound travel to the United States, serves as a platform for Freeman to advocate for making travel a national priority, eliminating barriers to visitation growth, and positioning the US as the world's top destination for travelers.

Freeman emphasized, “It should be our national goal to be nothing short of number one in terms of visitor arrivals, visitor spend and visitor experience.” However, he has highlighted challenges such as prolonged visa wait times, customs delays, and an air traffic control system struggling to meet demand, which impedes the realization of this vision. Overcoming these obstacles, Freeman stressed, necessitates sustained collaboration between government and industry to streamline processes and enhance the traveler experience.

Looking ahead, Freeman sees a decline of opportunity as the US gears up to welcome millions of travelers for major events like Copa America, FIFA World Cup games, America's 250th celebration in 2026, and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. These events are poised to attract both leisure and business travelers, presenting significant growth prospects for the US travel industry.

At the IPW press conference, Freeman was joined by members of the Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel, including co-chair Kevin McAleenan and Patty Cogswell, to discuss strategies for enhancing the efficiency, security, and modernization of the US travel system. This commission, comprised of former government officials and industry experts, aims to make policy recommendations to reinforce US travel competitiveness and stimulate growth.

Despite challenges posed by the pandemic, this year’s IPW saw a 20% increase in attendance compared to 2023, signaling a positive trajectory for travel recovery. However, inbound visitation to the US remains at just 84% of pre-pandemic levels, indicating ongoing efforts are needed to rebuild arrivals and regain market share.

IPW’s premier sponsor, Brand USA, and official card sponsor, American Express, reaffirm their commitment to supporting the US travel industry.

The 55th annual IPW, taking place from May 3-7 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, is expected to generate over $5.5 billion in economic impact for future US travel.

The 56th IPW is scheduled to take place in Chicago from June 14-18, 2025.